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There are a handful of inactive superstars in WWE, with some of the biggest names not even signed to an official contract anymore. We look at the six biggest returns that could happen in WWE this year and make a case for why some of them may not happen.
Here are three superstars who could return to WWE before 2021 ends and 3 who may not:
#3. May return to WWE: Brock Lesnar
We haven't seen Brock Lesnar on WWE TV since WrestleMania 36 in 2020. It was revealed that in the summer of that year, his contract with the company expired. There wasn't much of worry about Brock Lesnar re-signing with the UFC, since that ship seems to have sailed.
The reported reason why WWE never brought back Brock Lesnar was that they didn't want a larger-than-life superstar like him performing in front of empty arenas. Given the overall state of last year's programming in the pandemic era, it was proof that WWE didn't need Brock Lesnar.
He works best as a special attraction, and with rumors that WWE is planning to resume their touring schedule from SummerSlam 2021, a Brock Lesnar return seems inevitable.
The last 13 months have been the longest absence that Brock Lesnar has had since he returned to WWE in 2012. Even SummerSlam, an event often headlined by him, wasn't the platform for Brock Lesnar to return last year.
This year is different. The COVID-19 cases in the United States seem to be getting under control with the mass vaccination drives happening in the country. If Bobby Lashley remains WWE Champion until SummerSlam 2021, then it's the perfect place for WWE to set up the dream match.
If anything, we might see a busier Brock Lesnar this summer if he returns, and he could frequently appear from SummerSlam until WrestleMania 38 in Texas.
#3. May not return to WWE: Goldberg
Despite WWE not using part-timers as much in the pandemic era, Goldberg was brought back for a one-off. He challenged Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. While many feared that he would end up beating the Scotsman, that wasn't the case.
Drew McIntyre defeated Goldberg clean to retain the WWE Title, and the legend wasn't brought back for WrestleMania despite fans being present. As with other legends, there doesn't seem to be any need for Goldberg to return this year.
There aren't many dream matches left for him, but that doesn't mean that his in-ring career is done. WWE could still bring him back for SummerSlam 2021, especially if that is the place where they plan to resume touring full-time.
However, the question begs about who Goldberg could face. There aren't too many exciting opponents for him right now. It's doubtful that fans would want to see him challenge for a World Title in WWE again.
The best way WWE can utilize Goldberg is for one-off matches that don't necessarily involve titles.
#2. May return to WWE: Becky Lynch
This seems like the most likely return that can happen in WWE on this list. Becky Lynch has been away from WWE TV for a year now after announcing that she was pregnant.
As a result, her year-long reign as RAW Women's Champion ended, and an indefinite hiatus from WWE followed. Many fans thought that after Becky Lynch gave birth in December, a return for WrestleMania 37 would follow.
That wasn't the case. Becky Lynch has teased a return to WWE on social media, but there isn't any news about when she will return to reclaim the title she never lost. Since she vacated the title, Asuka took over and dominated the RAW Women's division for nearly a year before Rhea Ripley had her coronation at WrestleMania 37.
WWE needs Becky Lynch back, and the women's division is still missing her presence a year later. There's little doubt that she will return to WWE in 2021, and in this case, it seems to be a matter of when and not if.
#2. May not return to WWE: Lacey Evans
Had it not been for her pregnancy, Lacey Evans would have been in a different position in WWE. She was the #1 contender for the RAW Women's Championship on the road to WrestleMania, and rumors had indicated that she would have dethroned Asuka.
This would have seen her walk into WrestleMania as the WWE RAW Women's Champion, with Charlotte Flair her likely opponent. The feud between the two women was abruptly cut off after Lacey Evans announced her pregnancy in February.
This means that she is due in November at the earliest. Not many women pull off what Maryse did a few years ago by returning within a few months of giving birth. Lacey Evans seems to be out of action indefinitely and the idea of seeing her return to WWE in 2021 seems all but impossible.
It's not too bad, since her absence hasn't caused much damage in the WWE Women's division the way Becky Lynch's did.
#1. May return to WWE: Edge
Edge is perhaps the only WWE legend who would benefit programming with a return in the summer. There hasn't been much news about when WWE plans to bring back Edge or any potential long-term contract.
Edge returned to the ring at WWE Royal Rumble 2021 and won the titular bout for the second time. At first, it seemed to be a dream main event between him and Roman Reigns, but Daniel Bryan was added to the mix as well.
Although Daniel Bryan felt disconnected and admitted that he didn't want to be a part of the main event, there's no denying that his addition made the match much better. Almost every match Edge has been involved in since 2020 has been memorable.
Given how short his run was this year, it makes sense to bring him back for another short rivalry at a PPV like SummerSlam. We're not sure how often WWE plans to utilize Edge, but if there is any part-time superstar that should return this year, it's the Rated-R Superstar.
#1. May not return to WWE: Daniel Bryan
This is a tough one to call in terms of WWE returns. It was revealed recently that after Daniel Bryan lost to Roman Reigns on SmackDown, his WWE contract legitimately expired.
The match stipulated that if Daniel Bryan lost, he would have to leave SmackDown for good. His 3-year run on the blue brand (since his in-ring return) ended in a big way, and there has been a lot of speculation.
Dave Meltzer of WON reported that WWE is pushing hard to re-sign the 5-time World Champion to a new contract. Other rumors have stated that even a couple of AEW stars believe that Daniel Bryan will stay with WWE.
It makes a lot of sense, but the speculation comes from Daniel Bryan's recent statements, where he revealed that he wants to transition into being a part-timer and even try wrestling in other promotions. This could possibly be a negotiating tactic.
Either way, Daniel Bryan is free to make his choice, and with the legend expected to be on hiatus for a while, it's possible that he doesn't get utilized in 2021 either.
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